Another trade I considered was if Julio Jones slipped past Washington & was there #11 interested team being St. Louis would they offer a sweet package to move up for him? The difference between 11-14 is 150 points, meaning Texans could get their 3rd for giving up three slots & 5th rd. pick (#135) difference between 11th/14th 150 points (Rams 3rd (78th) 200 points while sending back Texans 5th (135) 38.5 points).

This trade would allow Texans to keep all of my picks (less supplemental) through 4th rd. leaving only 5th rd. pick out (Willi Smith, OT).

not sure this is what you mean? Belichick comes out ahead in points on this trade. Getting 11th is worth 1250. While Smith (who traded with Bill last draft to move back up for Tate) receives in return 17th(950) +74TH(220) +124TH(48) = 1218. Or team closer to a Championship is enabled to draft the missing cog for their DL since Richard Seymour left?

Just perception. The Pats (Belichick) are considered the "Darryl Morey" of the NFL. They (he) "always" seem to come out with the better end of the deal.

Who knew, that Tate wouldn't play a down. I don't know what the Pats got with their pick, but I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up as a pair of pro-bowlers.

After breaking down film of all the prospects to project for the Texans @ OLB Akeem has the most complete skill set. He will not be a liability in pass coverage, he can set the corner, solid in run support & shows excellent athletic skills to rush the passer. Not explosive but always charging with excellent pursuit & ball skills in turnover department. A very safe pick, the second best fit for Texans need @ OLB after Von Miller.

If unable to trade down the Texans just may select JJ Watt with 11th overall pick? Too many question marks for me going into next season converting 4-3 DT/DE's to 3-4 DE's. The Texans need to reinforce the edge with nasty, size strength starting quality player & Wilkerson is shooting up draft boards as a viable 5 technique DE prospect.

I'm looking for close to finished product with length, good skills like back peddle, ability to locate the ball in the air & contest WR for possession. He is one of the CB's I'm paying extra close attention to @ the upcoming combine if he runs under a 4.40 he'll be gone but if expected runs in the 4.45-4.5 range he should still be on the board here.

Pass rushing specialist, developmental OLB. Could actually test out with best speed in class @ combine something Texans covet. I know this is another OLB prospect pretty high, but while Ayers is a everydown OLB Moch's value is in pass rushing situations when Wade wants to bring the house. Plus he was exposed to him coaching the East West Shrine game.

Coming into the draft off a fractured right fibula last game of season, if not for his injury he would be projected much higher (2nd rd. grade). I was really looking for a center fielder type with ball skills, after reviewing film he stood out in this class in that department. The good news is the Texans will not be in a rush to start him too soon & let him develop, strengthen & feel comfortable putting him in position to succeed.

[size="4"][b]4th (Texans #8th pick of rd.) Terrell McClain, DT/NT, South Florida, 6030 310 5.14 Impressed @ Shriner game (Wade Phillips coaching) late invite to Senior Bowl. Stock rising because of compact & stout lower torso would be nice DT to develop @ nose, very similar to Ratliff who was drafted by Cowboys in latter rounds but proved to be a steal because of work ethic & fit into Wade system.

Another uncertainty heading into FA is status of Rashad Butler? Texans have done a nice job developing him question is will it be for another team willing to pay him starting OT money? Hence addressing roster with similar talent to groom once again is Smith who is excellent in run blocking, having helped pave lanes for Chris Johnson while @ ECU. All-Conference USA First Team.

Always a good idea to bolster the trenches. I was expecting more from Antoine Caldwell & less of Chris Myers but actually the reverse has happened. These late rd. linemen need time to groom & develop so by the time he is ready, Myers could be on his downside or needed for depth purposes. Shows leadership required for position, hard worker solid base able to hold the point.

7th (Texans #12th pick of rd.) Allen Bradford, RB, USC, 6000 235 4.55

Big, powerful back, proficient in pass pro. Adds depth (PS) replacing Ward who is a FA similar size 5011 228. low cost developmental, could get call up with injury's or needed depth on special teams & goal line carries to rotate with Foster/Tate. 110 carries his senior year for 794 yds. 5 TD's with a 7.2 yards per carry average. Decisive downhill runner who fits ZBS -

not really a fan of ayers, if we trade down i rather take a chance on kerrigan.

wilkerson will go in the first round. book it. probably in the top 20 if he does well in his pro-day.

moch probably worked his way into the top 50.

Ayers fits exactly what Texans tend to draft. High character, productive, low profile, position of need & from a football skill set the most rounded game. nothing sexy or engaging, not a fan favorite, not a local kid either but someone who is very coachable already with a Texan players make-up in player evaluation on Texans board the total package.

I like Kerrigan too. He is someone to take a serious look @ in this trade down scenero. He will be a far better edge rusher & fills the role more of a Clay Matthews type of OLB.

Wilkerson is impressive but has an outside chance to still be on the board because of depth in the draft at his position (5 technique end). the idea was to hit with OLB without over valuing need with 11th pick, which this demonstrates by moving down 6 slots with two quality OLB prospects in Ayers & Kerrigan. Otherwise Texans could be looking at drafting a 5 technique end #11 because either Watt or Jordon would be too good to pass on, hence New England moves up for one of them. Then the Texans could still address position with Wilkerson in 2nd, improving value with both picks.

Moch is a wildcard, he really blew up this weekend at the combine, which doesn't come as that big of surprise but does hurt his chances of still being on the board in 3rd (for anyone projecting him in the 4th forget about it). Just realize this, if the Texans have an extra pick (via trade down) it puts them in a better position to move draft day, in this case up into the second round if this is a guy they covet. If they went Kerrigan with 1st I doubt they would be so inclined but Ayers that's another story, which is why I liked this combination better because it hits more holes & the players fit together.

I think Moch goes in the second round after his combine. I also think that whoever takes him in the second round is wasting a pick on a bust.

I'm not suggesting that Moch will be a superstar. There's legitimate questions regarding his size and making the transition to NFL LB. But, the guy was a productive player for 4 seasons. He's not just a workout warrior. I don't see how you could project him to bust.

I think Moch goes in the second round after his combine. I also think that whoever takes him in the second round is wasting a pick on a bust.

Make him earn his opportunities. First & foremost should start as situational pass rusher. As he develops & gains confidence he can earn more reps. He can also start out as a gunner on special teams, with his package of speed & toughness he could get to those returners quick. I will still maintain early 3rd rd. grade where Texans select so kinda see what bah007 point of view at least in terms of valueation.

I'm not suggesting that Moch will be a superstar. There's legitimate questions regarding his size and making the transition to NFL LB. But, the guy was a productive player for 4 seasons. He's not just a workout warrior. I don't see how you could project him to bust.

He is one of those guys that just out-athleted people in college. Look at all his highlights. His only pass rush move is to run as far outside the tackle as possible and try to get around him.

That works in the WAC, but not in the NFL. Not every productive player in college makes it in the NFL.

If he is sitting around in the 4th I would be okay with risking it. He does have legitimate potential. But he needs to add strength, he is changing positions, he can't defend the run, and once a linemen touches him he is done. He needs to add more moves to his arsenal. At this point I wouldn't even say he has a pass rush move, unless you just count his speed. Every single time a OT lays a finger on him he gets locked up. That should not happen to a pro pass rusher.

Make him earn his opportunities. First & foremost should start as situational pass rusher. As he develops & gains confidence he can earn more reps. He can also start out as a gunner on special teams, with his package of speed & toughness he could get to those returners quick. I will still maintain early 3rd rd. grade where Texans select so kinda see what bah007 point of view at least in terms of valueation.

If we're talking 4th round then I agree with everything you have there.

If we're talking 4th round then I agree with everything you have there.

Any earlier than that and I'm gonna have to pass.

I'm familar with your work, you have a sharp eye for talent evaluation. The one skill you can't teach is explosive speed, fast twitch muscle movement & Dontay has it in spades. Very likely some team will reach for him in 2nd too because of it. But if I where Rick Smith, would stand pat & wait to see if he falls to one of my third round picks.

He is one of those guys that just out-athleted people in college. Look at all his highlights. His only pass rush move is to run as far outside the tackle as possible and try to get around him.

You've also just described Von Miller.

I also disagree with the assessment that Moch can't play the run. Over half of his TFLs were against the run. While he's likely been playing below his combine weight, so have Miller and Justin Houston, and Moch is only an inch shorter than those two and Akeem Ayers.

Again, I'm not suggesting Moch is a first round pick. Or even worthy of the Texans pick @42. Just that labeling the guy a bust before he's even been drafted is unfounded and premature.

Isn't a trade down more attractive now after seeing how the prospects shake out as a rule? I must say I'm more than a little disappointed in Akeem Ayers forty, 4.88. Have to wait until now until UCLA pro Days to see how much he can improve those numbers otherwise he slips down my draft board. looked both sluggish and outstanding at the combine. Despite his slow 40, lateral, back peddling, and focus looked great confirming his all around line-backing skills & why I ranked him as my #2 OLB behind Von Miller going into the combine.

One thing this does is it should eliminate him from being the Texans straight up selection @ #11. Which still supports my view of trading down mid teens then considering him as potential Texan prospect.

Wilkerson draft stock seems to be on the rise, doubtful now he'll be around in 2nd for Wade Phillips to bolster his front three. I viewed him as a poor mans Nick Farley, similar measureables, disruptive but not near as explosive, still I was projecting him inside to be in the NG rotation as well depth @ DE. His value is his versatility to play any of the DL positions in Wade Phillips scheme.

Wright broke his projected 4.5 forty with a 4.46, showed decent strength 16 reps, good vertical 34.5 & explosion 9'5" LJ. He did not do any of the on field drills, which kinda keeps him off the radar. Here is a player with measureables but will be graded off tape during USC career.

Of course Moch stole the show for OLB group & asserts himself as one of the more intriguing OLB prospects for 3-4 teams needing pass rushers. If gone I would have no issue with Texans pulling trigger onDeunta Williams, S, North Carolina, 6020 215 4.55 or looking very close at Rutgers Safety Joe Lefeged.

Cecil Shorts III, WR remains off most radars as small school prospect Mount Union. In drills he displayed plus explosion in & out of breaks, strong trunk which supports his return ability & toughness to handle contact next level.

Would prefer to address OT earlier if value presents itself. Smith is solid technician but kinda slow & lumbering in drills. Tape shows excellent ability to recover/position to stack & keep DE from shedding, but only in limited windows. 5th round maybe a bit of reach for Texans given need is not a priority, so if they look at him they would probably wait until the 6th or 7th rd.

This might workout anyway, then Texans could move Bartholomew up to a 5th rd. pick & get a true center with base, strength & explosion to hold the point against big 3-4 NT's. For some reason, maybe because he has no neck, he kinda reminds me of Vonta Leech.

Bradford I'll have to change simply because Texans resigned Ward. That gives the Texans, dare I say it? depth @ the RB position.

Isn't a trade down more attractive now after seeing how the prospects shake out as a rule? I must say I'm more than a little disappointed in Akeem Ayers forty, 4.88. Have to wait until now until UCLA pro Days to see how much he can improve those numbers otherwise he slips down my draft board. looked both sluggish and outstanding at the combine. Despite his slow 40, lateral, back peddling, and focus looked great confirming his all around line-backing skills & why I ranked him as my #2 OLB behind Von Miller going into the combine.

One thing this does is it should eliminate him from being the Texans straight up selection @ #11. Which still supports my view of trading down mid teens then considering him as potential Texan prospect.

Wilkerson draft stock seems to be on the rise, doubtful now he'll be around in 2nd for Wade Phillips to bolster his front three. I viewed him as a poor mans Nick Farley, similar measureables, disruptive but not near as explosive, still I was projecting him inside to be in the NG rotation as well depth @ DE. His value is his versatility to play any of the DL positions in Wade Phillips scheme.

Wright broke his projected 4.5 forty with a 4.46, showed decent strength 16 reps, good vertical 34.5 & explosion 9'5" LJ. He did not do any of the on field drills, which kinda keeps him off the radar. Here is a player with measureables but will be graded off tape during USC career.

Of course Moch stole the show for OLB group & asserts himself as one of the more intriguing OLB prospects for 3-4 teams needing pass rushers. If gone I would have no issue with Texans pulling trigger onDeunta Williams, S, North Carolina, 6020 215 4.55 or looking very close at Rutgers Safety Joe Lefeged.

Cecil Shorts III, WR remains off most radars as small school prospect Mount Union. In drills he displayed plus explosion in & out of breaks, strong trunk which supports his return ability & toughness to handle contact next level.

Would prefer to address OT earlier if value presents itself. Smith is solid technician but kinda slow & lumbering in drills. Tape shows excellent ability to recover/position to stack & keep DE from shedding, but only in limited windows. 5th round maybe a bit of reach for Texans given need is not a priority, so if they look at him they would probably wait until the 6th or 7th rd.

This might workout anyway, then Texans could move Bartholomew up to a 5th rd. pick & get a true center with base, strength & explosion to hold the point against big 3-4 NT's. For some reason, maybe because he has no neck, he kinda reminds me of Vonta Leech.

Bradford I'll have to change simply because Texans resigned Ward. That gives the Texans, dare I say it? depth @ the RB position.

they too had a trade down scenero with New England. 17th for 11th plus a 2nd #60th (1250=1250). They trade up for Jordan we trade down for Ayers. hmm With the 2nd pick via New England we get DeAndre McDaniel, FS Clemson. This works for me too & helps Texans get the most bang for buck. GBN mocked Texas CB Curtis Brown with Texans own 2nd so its possible those three would both become starters for Wade Phillips sooner than later.

they too had a trade down scenero with New England. 17th for 11th plus a 2nd #60th (1250=1250). They trade up for Jordan we trade down for Ayers. hmm With the 2nd pick via New England we get DeAndre McDaniel, FS Clemson. This works for me too & helps Texans get the most bang for buck. GBN mocked Texas CB Curtis Brown with Texans own 2nd so its possible those three would both become starters for Wade Phillips sooner than later.

In that scenario, I would rather see a trade down with New England, then another with Tampa Bay.

We could then use #20 on Ryan Kerrigan, who projects at OLB, then either use the extra 2nd round pick on another linebacker (Brooks Reed?), or move up to the beginning of the 2nd (with either #42 and #51 or #41 and #60) and take either Cameron Heyward, DE (a great value in the 2nd) or Stephen Paea, DT.